**Music Releases**

Popular songstress, TV star Erica Campbell offers new single “More Love,” to gospel radio this week. “More Love,” is a mid-tempo and poignant song that advances HELP 2.0, a “re-release” of her top-selling 2014 album HELP. Available on March 31st on MyBlock/eOne, HELP 2.0 will feature never before heard music, remixes of her hits and several guest artists. “More Love,” is also available digitally on iTunes. This right-on-time single comes at a time when we as a community, industry and society are all seeking direction, inspiration and encouragement. “More Love” comes from taking the temperature of the times we live in,” said co-writers Erica and husband Warryn Campbell. “The sense of frustration, anger that we all feel, from the civil unrest and tragic deaths in Ferguson, New York and around the world … We thought it was important to emphasize the importance of love. Love truly does change things. We believe that.” - Listen Now

Grammy award nominee VaShawn Mitchell returns with his fifth solo release titled Unstoppable. The Motown Gospel artist, known for his smash hit “Nobody Greater”. presents a 13-track effort that continues to build on his already impressive catalog. He teams with industry friends Tasha Cobbs, Anthony Brown, Micah Stampley, and Jonathan McReynolds on this project that is chock full of worship filled moments and up tempo jams. It’s safe to say that Mitchell has another winner on his hands with this effort.

VASHAWN MITCHELL: Unstoppable
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

A lot has changed for Jessica Reedy since being a part of Season 2 of BET Sunday Best. Most notably, she’s launched her own imprint known as Purity Records. On this new imprint, she releases her long awaited sophomore record titled Transparent. While preserving her trademark tone and voice, she’s connected with a new band and new producers for a new sound. Much like the apposite album title, the project takes you on a journey where Reedy shares much of her heart through this powerful music. Look for stand out singles such as “Grace”, “Better” and “I Wanna Be Free”.

JESSICA REEDY: Transparent
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

After a decade of work with his popular choir Testament, L. Spenser Smith releases his long awaited solo debut project titled Unstoppable. The Alabama based pastor, author, singer, and songwriter, known for his smash hit “Surgery”, comes out of the gate strong with this new release. Produced by Dana Sorey and featuring Daniel Johnson as musical director, this collection of songs features an eclectic mix of music that fuses R&B, 80’s pop, gospel, and more into a distinct and remarkable sound. Couple that with Smith’s seemingly limitless vocal range and you have a project that has been WELL worth the wait.

L. SPENSER SMITH: Unstoppable
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

There is only one female artist known as “The Voice”, and that is the late, great, Whitney Houston. As amazing as her catalog is, nothing compares to seeing or hearing this legend in a live setting. This new effort does just that as it compiles Her Greatest Performances together in one place, at one time. This project features 16 of this Grammy award winner’s greatest performances including her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” from Super Bowl XXV, “One Moment In Time” from the 31st Grammy Awards, and one of her final performances “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” from The Oprah Winfrey Show. This is an absolute MUST HAVE!

WHITNEY HOUSTON: Her Greatest Performances (Live)
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

With six albums under their belt, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise is responsible for hits such as “Incredible God, Incredible Praise”, “Lord You’re Mighty”, “Resting On His Promise”, “Awesome God”, and more. They return with their seventh and arguably most potent release titled I See Victory. The deluxe version of this release boasts 18 tracks, their largest single offering to date. The release features guest appearances from Jason Nelson, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard, VaShawn Mitchell, Deon Kipping and more and is arguably the most potent project in their catalog! (Check out our full album review here.)
JJ HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE: I See Victory
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

For close to a decade, music lovers have become familiar with a sound known as Dream Music. This sound is courtesy of the ear and musical genius of YPJ & Flesh Versus Christ. YPJ aka Pastor Jonathan Miller, serves as the pastor of Faith Apostolic Ministries who masterfully combines elements of praise, worship, and hip-hop to create the sound known as Dream Music. So, it’s only apposite that their latest release is titled Praise, Worship, and Hip-Hop. Thirteen tracks strong, this release will really revolutionize your perspective of Hip-Hop within the context of worship. Simply put, the presentation is out of the box and is perfect for your ears.

YPJ & FLESH VERSUS CHRIST: Praise, Worship, & Hip-Hop
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

One of gospel music’s most legendary groups is preparing to make a return in a big way as The Rance Allen Group readies for brand new music. The Tyscot Records signees are set to release their newest effort titled Celebrate. Known for hit singles such as “I Belong To You”, “You Make Me Wanna Dance”, and “Miracle Worker”, the Grammy Award nominees have been hard at work crafting this soon-to-be classic. Twelve tracks strong, Celebrate is led by the funky new lead single “A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands)”, which has just been released to radio.

Celebrate marks the 20th release for this sibling group, whose released their debut project in 1972. The Ohio based group was honored as Trailblazers at the 2008 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards and received The Bobby Jones Legends Award at the 2009 Stellar Awards.

Look for Celebrate to hit stores November 11.

In the meantime, check out the track listing for Celebrate and the new single “A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands).

1. A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands)
2. Celebrate
3. Champion
4. Sounds Like Rain
5. Step Out
6. U R Not Alone
7. Turn It Around
8. Feel the Spirit
9. He’s Real
10. Stay Focused
11. Through The Fire
12. Walking In the Sand

For the last five years, Swoope has become one of the most influential names in urban music. Behind the scenes, he has produced, written, and collaborated with artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii, and Christon Gray. He’s part of the chart-topping hip-hop collective W.L.A.K. (We Live As Kings), whose 2013 release shot to the top of Billboard‘s Top Gospel Albums chart and had a top 10 debut on Billboard‘s Top Rap Albums chart. Now Swoope returns with his third solo release titled Sinema. The 12-track project continues the Collision Records tradition of thought-provoking releases that present powerful issues in a mainstream palatable package. With guest appearances from J.R., Tedashii, Christon Gray, Sho Baraka, Denise Powell, Propaganda, and more. this project is one of the most well-thought out efforts of the year and is sure to get everyone talking. It’s a project that you’ll need in your library quickly.

Swoope: Sinema
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

Fresno, CA is the home of one of the industry’s most exciting new talents known as Louie Lou. The California native serves as producer and artist as he presents his third project titled Round 3. This new release presents hip-hop with a live band, which naturally gives the presentation a completely different feel from most hip-hop projects. Couple it with guest appearances from Doobie Powell, Lena Byrd Miles, David Jackson, and more and you have a can’t miss effort that is guaranteed to get you moving. Look for standout cuts such as “Another Round”, “Right Now”, “Stay Movin'”, and “My Everything”.

LOUIE LOU: Round 3
Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon |

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